Kirk was fired after the 1986 season, just before he was indicted for income tax evasion. He served four months in a federal minimum-security prison in Montgomery, Ala.

At about that time, Memphis State was found guilty of violating National Collegiate Athletic Association rules on Kirk’s watch. As a result, the university had to vacate its Final Four appearance. The Tigers were also forced to sit out the 1987 tournament.

Kirk had a 158-58 record in seven years at Memphis State, which is now the University of Memphis. His team was 31-4 when it went to the Final Four.